U's Fail In Jones Bid

Colchester United have failed in a bid to bring Hibernian defender Rob Jones to the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

The 29-year-old, who currently skippers the Easter Road outfit, has seen his current club reject the U`s £100,000 offer. The U`s approaches to sign the giant centre-back were made public by an article on their official website, leading to Hibs vowing to report the Essex side to the Football Association.

A statement on the Scottish Premier League side's official website read:

"It is not Hibernian Club policy to comment on speculation regarding interest in players. However, the Club has chosen to respond to an article posted on the Colchester United FC website.

"Hibernian can confirm receipt of a fax from Steve Bradshaw, Chief Executive of Colchester United FC addressed to Chairman Rod Petrie under a heading 'Confidential Fax Transmission'. The fax contained an offer of £100,000 for the immediate transfer of Hibernian Club Captain Rob Jones. The offer was rejected by return. The Manager advised the Player of the offer and the fact it had been rejected.

"Given the 'Confidential' marking of the incoming fax it was a surprise to learn that Colchester United had subsequently posted a picture of the Hibernian player on its website along with a story stating that a 'six figure' bid had been lodged for the player. The story fails to mention that the offer was immediately rejected. The story also appeared on the Colchester United website the day after another story about a 'six figure bid' for the centre half of another club was posted on the same website.

"Hibernian intends to report the actions of Colchester United to the Football League and to the Football Association."

The news comes after the U`s bid a six-figure sum for Wycombe Wanderers centre-half Mike Williamson, which was also spurned. Click Here.